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PROGRAM Package E : River Rafting in Northern Thailand

Thai Youth Hostel Association, Chiang Mai office (Chiang Mai International Youth Hostel) cooperate with Thai Adventure Rafting, pioneers of the Pai River, offer visitors several exciting river rafting trips in Northern Thailand. With a view to safety and the most enjoyable experience, our raft trips or raft expeditions are accompanied by experienced raft captains. Our captains are friendly, well trained locals. Their knowledge of the river area, in which they were born, is tremendous. They will be happy to answer any question you may have and share with you their knowledge of nature and traditions in the area you visit.

Thailand White Water Rafting Rafting expeditions in a tropical climate are simply great. No need for thermal wetsuits as the water is lukewarm. Lush tropical jungle, wild rivers, bamboo campsites, Thai smiles and gourmet food, as well as the likelihood of spotting wild animals, should make this the trip of a lifetime. On every river expedition, we use strong hypalon self-bailing rafts and canoes. Adequate equipment such as life jackets and helmets is provided. We use watertight containers, which are always readily accessible, while on the rafts as well as sturdy dry bags to keep participant's belongings dry. Participants are required to wear a life jacket and helmet whenever on our rafts. During our expeditions all food and drinks will be provided with the exception of alcoholic beverages. Drinking water, tea and coffee are always available.

Rafting the Pai River, Mae Hong Son Duration: 3 days / 2 nights Departures: Every Monday. Wednesday, Friday, from Chiang Mai Due to low water level, we have stopped our rafting season on the Pai River as of Jan 10, 2004!

NEXT RAFTING SEASON: June 15, 2004 to End of January 2005 Our rafting expeditions on the Pai River will take you through the main Wildlife Sanctuary of Mae Hong Son province. Being the only access to this area, the Pai River guarantees you an unforgettable wilderness trip.

Beside experiencing the thrill of the rapids, you will have the chance to watch monkeys and birds playing along the riverside, shower in sparkling waterfalls, and discover the fun of "body rafting", floating along with the current. Pricing : Rafting Package: ??????? / person (Twin room share basis) Single Room Supplement: ??????? (to add when booking alone)

ItineraryDay 1 - Chiang Mai - Pai From Chiang Mai, transfer by air conditioned vehicle on mountain roads to Pai valley, passing through spectacular scenery. Reach our overnight place, a peaceful resort in the Pai valley. Afternoon is free for you to discover this charming small town. Dinner and overnight at resort. Meals: [-/-/D]

Day 2 - Rafting Morning at leisure until 09.30. Transfer to the starting point of your rafting adventure. Equipment preparation, and basic introduction on safety and paddling techniques. Board the rafts and paddle down river, making a stop for lunch and a swim at the Suza Waterfall. The river cuts through beautiful scenery and takes you to our jungle camp where you will spend the night. Dinner at the camp is prepared by your guides. Meals: [B/L/D]

Day 3 - Rafting -Mae Hong Son After breakfast, board the rafts and continue downstream to meet the larger Pai River. As you come to the junction, the river gets bigger with more swells -- this is where the action begins! Raft through a number of different sets of rapids. Picnic lunch on the river bank. Mid-afternoon pull in to the river bank where rafting ends. Transfer to Mae Hong Son airport for a short flight back to Chiang Mai Meals: [B/L/-] Note: this tour ends at Chiang Mai Airport. Flights from Mae Hong Son are often fully booked, so we recommend that you book this trip early! Extension Possibilities: At the end of the rafting trip you can stay in Mae Hong Sorn for individual exploration of this charming small town. Please inquire for hotels reservation.

2 Days 1 Night White Water Rafting Adventure on the Pai River : This 45 km. expedition will take you though Pai and Mae Hong Sorn wide life sanctuaries, you will shower in sparking waterfalls, see a volcanic hot spring, ride on rapids and swim through wild gorges. One night at our eco-friendly jungle camp will keep you in harmony with the nature.

Itinerary:

1st Day : A wonderful drive through the mountain will take you from Pai by 09.30 a.m. ( or Mae Hong Sorn at 10.30) to Khong river. After a security briefing, you will be ready to paddle safely, straight into the jungle. After one hour, we will stop at Lang river junction for the picnic. Further down the river, you will have the opportunity to view, swim and relax at the 200 million years old “ Suza Waterfall” and one hour later, reach our camp. From these a short walk will lead you to a fossilized coral site. In the camp, shower and toilet facilities, bamboo hut furnished with mosquito nets, foam mattresses sleeping – bags and pillows, provide a comfortable camping “ style “ nights accommodation that keeps you in harmony with nature. In this remote place, your will especially appreciate our chilled welcome drink with snacks, then later, the BBQ and Thai dinner (vegetarian menu on request). Later, chatting and playing game with your guide, you might like to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.During the night, the song of a owl or a barking deer might join the concert of frogs and crickets, not to mention a few “ Snoring-tigers” dwelling around the camp, just harmless…!

2nd Day : A filling Thai and Western breakfast (with fresh “DuangDee” coffee) is served as you wake up. Paddling in the morning gives the best opportunity to surprise birds, monkeys, gibbons or other animals dwelling in this deep part of the wildlife sanctuary. After one hour you will reach the Pai river and take a break at the hot-springs, then have fun in the 15 rapids (grade 1,2,3) leading to the Pai gorges. Still in the gorges, you can enjoy floating and swimming until you reach a small canyon. Lunch will be served there near by a waterfall and a stream of clear water. Coming out of the gorges, we gradually rejoin the civilization of the Mae Hong Son valley until landing at “ Mae Surin Forestry Office Headquarter “ around 2 p.m. There you can redeem your main luggage and take a refreshing shower. A short drive will take you to Mae Hong Son, and to any place convenient for you. ( We can help you to book any accommodation or flight )

Rafting the Pai River - General Information:Flights Flights from Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai are operated by Thai Airways. There are 3 flights per day. However, if you wish to fly back to Chiang Mai at the end of our rafting trip, only the last flight can be taken. Flights are often fully booked, so we recommend that you book any trip early!

Extension Possibilities At the end of our rafting trips you can stay in Mae Hong Son for individual exploration of this charming small town. Please inquire for hotel reservations

River Rafting Our experienced raft captains will handle all aspects of your trip. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have and share with you their knowledge of nature and traditions of the Mae Hong Son province. We use strong self-bailing paddle rubber raftsand canoes. Participants are required to wear a life jacket and helmet when on the rafts. During the river expedition, personal effects and belongings will be stored in dry bags and watertight containers.

Packing While on the rafts, we need to keep the weight down. We require participants to carry a minimum, approximately the size of a standard plastic carrier bag. We recommend limiting your belongings to the packing list we will provide you. You will be sent a detailed "information pack" with your tour confirmation. All your remaining personal items will be safely kept at the base camp, and transferred to the arrival point on the following day.

Meals During all our rating expeditions, all food and drinks will be provided with the exception of alcoholic beverages. Canned local beers and local "Mekong" whisky is available at the camp's bar.

Special diet requirements: please advise us when you register if you need vegetarian meals.

Notes We recommend participants not to take or wear any jewelry or valuables during our expedition. Cameras and binoculars will be safely stored in watertight containers, and readily available at mostly any time.

DEVALAUTION BONUS! In July 1997, you got 25 Thai Baht. Now, you are getting over 40 Thai Baht to 1 U.S. Dollar!!!! Or 72 Thai Baht to 1 Pound Sterling !!!!!

Contact & booking: E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Web site: http://www.chiangmaiyha.com